Election Stress

While you are working to achieve your academic dreams, you may also be coping with election stress, the pandemic, isolation, and remote learning. While we all want to engage in the democratic process, it can be stressful.

Please check-in with your mental health and develop a self-care plan that makes sense for you. Although the election process can feel overwhelming, we encourage you to practice coping skills that will help you manage difficult emotions during challenging times.

Mental Health Tips
  • Stay closely connected with supportive friends and family.
  • Practice mindfulness/relaxation skills & get regular exercise to help manage your stress level.
  • Set boundaries. Learning when to say “no” can help you take care of yourself.
  • Watch your diet of media intake – it is easy to get saturated with divisive or misleading information. Before you let yourself get triggered, double-check your news sources.
  • Opt out of unproductive conversations. Ask yourself, “Is this discussion benefiting anyone or is it creating more interpersonal distance?” It is not necessary to talk about politics in all of your relationships.
  • Remember that UNL Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is here to help if you need help making sense of things or just want to talk through troubling thoughts and emotions. We have “Let’s Talk” sessions available at: https://caps.unl.edu/lets-talk.
Additional Resources

Inclusive Election Support and Resources
This page is designed to provide supportive and inclusive resources, initiatives, and efforts for pre-election and post-election.